Mali and Burkina Faso have announced a travel ban barring US citizens from entering their countries, a direct counteraction to a travel restriction instituted by the Trump administration.
The countries, recently affected by new US immigration policies, stated that this decision aligns with the principle of reciprocity, as outlined by Burkina Faso's foreign affairs minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré.
The implementation of full entry restrictions follows the announcement of a broader travel ban by the US, which now includes the justification of national security as a primary concern. Mali's foreign ministry criticized the US’s unilateral approach, lamenting that this significant policy was enacted without prior consultation.
Alongside these actions, both nations signal a significant pivot toward new alliances, particularly with Russia, following cooling relations with Western nations in the aftermath of their military-led governments.
Just days prior, Niger also reportedly took steps to impose similar restrictions, reflecting a growing trend among the region’s military-led governance as they assert sovereignty in their diplomatic engagements.
The US travel ban, which goes into effect on January 1, applies to several countries, including South Sudan and Syria, and is expected to remain until there are substantial improvements in cooperative immigration and security measures from the affected nations. Waivers may apply for certain groups under specific circumstances.
